Painting - bathroom priming: oil based or not?

I am about to prime new moisture resistant sheet rock surrounding a new shower stall, the walls above the top of the stall and the ceiling. I have Benjamin Moore latex primer on hand, but want to use the best option for a bathroom, particularly in the immediate area around the new shower stall. I have heard differing opinions about primer. Should I use oil based or a regular latex primer?

Welcome to the forums!

Oil base primer will seal the wall better than latex but I've never had any issues with using a latex based primer on new bath rm walls.

I'd use a latex primer and then apply 2 coats of a good kitchen and bath enamel. Don't forget to caulk any gaps between the wall and shower stall.

I agree - your choice of paint is going to have more impact than your choice of primer.

Just make sure you use a quality product.Zinsser makes a fine latex primer and so do most major paint companies.That said there are lowball primers in most lines as well.Same goes for your topcoat and it can be confusing as most all paint brands have multiple quality levels often with very similar sounding names attached.

Buy your products where you can get knowledgeable saleshelp and be sure to buy upper level paint tools and applicators as the best paint can look cheap when applied with cheap applicators.